People are urged to look out for their elderly and vulnerable relatives and neighbours over Christmas and New Year to help them avoid attending Wirral’s only A&E.

Denise Langhor, Emergency Medical Consultant in the Emergency Department at Arrowe Park Hospital, said: “As it gets colder it’s about creating care for the community, which includes helping to look after elderly relatives or neighbours.”

Some illnesses clear up without the need to attend hospital.

The winter sickness bug Norovirus resolves within one or two days.

However it is highly contagious, so Wirral University Teaching Hospital is advising people not to come into hospital or GPs’ surgeries if they have symptoms.

People are asked to follow these simple steps:

· Take plenty of fluids

· Wash your hands regularly

· If your symptoms continue for more than two days seek advice from NHS 111 by calling 111 or visit the NHS Choices website.

The Emergency Department at Arrowe Park Hospital remains very busy and during the colder months it tends to be even busier which can, for some patients, mean longer waiting times for those in need of less urgent care.

Wirral has alternatives for less urgent cases, which are more appropriate than attending A&E.

There are Walk-in Centres in Eastham, at Arrowe Park and at Victoria Central Health Centre in Wallasey, where there is also a Minor Injuries Unit on site with X-ray facilities.

Dr Langhor said: “On a day to day basis there can be high demand from the amount of people in our A&E department.

There has been an increase in patients attending A&E and this can slow down the flow of the department and the hospital.

“Sometimes people who are in A&E don’t need to be there.

“Often, there are better and quicker ways to be treated.

“For example the chemist and walk-in centres.”

She also highlighted the issue of patients attending A&E under the influence of alcohol, especially as this Christmas falls on an extended bank holiday and added: “We know that people can drink excessively on a night out, but what they don’t think about is what is considered major and minor injuries and the impact being drunk can have on the A&E department, creating a negative atmosphere in the waiting area for other patients who have yet to be treated.

“If somebody comes into the Emergency Department with a major trauma injury, it can take up to 15 people to treat that one person, including, doctors, surgeons and nurses.

“So it’s important to remember that these members of staff have to be free.

“Walk-in centres do a great job with minor injuries and sometimes, even though people get frustrated, waiting to see your GP can potentially free up space in our A&amp;E department, as well as staff in our Emergency.”

For Walk-in-centre opening times please visit the wirralct.nhs.uk website.

For other non-emergencies, people can also contact their GP surgery or NHS 111 by calling 111.